Education Objectives

Upon completion of the Advanced Certificate Program in Histotechnology, graduates will:

• Have knowledge of and adhere to institutional, regional, national and international safety regulations in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 
• Demonstrate entry-level proficiency and competency as a Histotechnologist in key areas including fixation, tissue processing, embedding and microtomy; as well as in both basic and advanced histological and histochemistry techniques, such as H&E staining, enzyme histochemistry, special stains, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, cytology, FISH, whole slide imaging, and molecular methodologies.
• Accurately identify cell structures and tissues of the human body. 
• Correlate laboratory findings to the diagnosis, prognosis, and disease management in clinical and/or research settings.
• Effectively troubleshoot outcomes that do not conform to prescribed protocols or outcomes.
• Demonstrate leadership capabilities and have knowledge of: the basic principles of management, education, regulatory oversight, quality management, continuous process improvement, human resources, operations, and interprofessional education and collaborative practice in the anatomic pathology laboratory.
• Be prepared to effectively communicate and meet the needs of patients, the public and members of the health care team.
• Meet the licensure requirements in practice of Histotechnology in the state of New York.

Curriculum

The 32.5 credit, full-time program is completed in two semesters (fall and spring). The curriculum is made up of 1 introductory course that is didactic with wrap-around laboratories, 7 didactic courses, and 2 clinical practicum courses. Didactic and clinical practicum experiences in pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic processes cover a range of topics, including—but not limited to—histological techniques such as specimen accessioning, grossing, fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning (including microtomy), and various staining methods. 

Additional areas of instruction include laboratory management, immunohistochemistry procedures; fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), electron microscopy, molecular diagnostics, cytology preparation; and essential laboratory operations and management to include quality control, quality assurance, equipment maintenance, record keeping, standard laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance. 

The program anticipates admission of its first class in the fall semester of 2027 and plans to seek specialized accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Required Prerequisites

*Must be completed prior to admission in order to be accepted into the program.

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in the biological or chemical sciences; and who have completed anatomy and physiology, college chemistry I and II, and organic chemistry.